28 September 2013

VIDEO: Jamaica PM Simpson Miller Heckled by Gay Rights Activists

Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was heckled by small group of gay activists in New York City on Friday as she left the offices of the Ford Foundation. The disruption happened on the eve of Simpson Miller's address this morning to the opening session of the 68th United Nations General Assembly—where a larger protest is expected.

The group of seven protesters shouted, "Gay rights are human rights!" and "Portia, shame on you!" as Simpson Miller exited the building. Simpson Miller appeared unper-turbed, waving at the protesters and blowing kisses, but was later redirected by a security detail. A group called Jamaica Anti-Homophobia Stand was calling for an end to Jamaica’s anti-gay laws. It, along with other gay-rights lobbies, is planning to stage another protest on Saturday morning, when Simpson Miller is slated to address the UN General Assembly.

Simpson Miller's center left People's National Party won in a landslide election in December 2011—capturing 42 seats in the 63-seat legislature, leaving the incumbent center right Labour party with only 21 seats. Simpson Miller was sworn in for the second time as Jamaica’s prime minister in January 2012. Simpson Miller explicitly came out for gay rights during a televised debate in Decemeber 2011. The former opposition leader promised a conscience vote on whether Jamaica's laws criminalizing consensual male homosexual acts—"buggery laws"—should be repealed. Activists are angry because that has yet to happen.

Personally, I am currently making plans to leave Jamaica and resettle somewhere in North America as a Refugee, the country remains staunchly homophobic and its getting worst. My family and my colleagues are homophobic, I can't continue in this. I want to live somewhere where I can be out and not live in fear.

When you read stories of Jamaica changing its attitudes towards gays, its nothing but a façade to take off the pressure from Governments such as UK and Canada that provide foreign aide each year.

When you can have artiste shouting out homophobic messages at Government sponsored events and she is not reprimanded for it, it only proves the hypocrisy of a PM who is no more than a figure head who wants nothing but to be the Queen of Jamaica.

I am praying all works out for me, will continue to put my trust in God and depend on his guidance.